Radio telephone

ABSTRACT

A radio telephone with a sliding cover that moves between positions concealing and revealing a plurality of keys. Predetermined functions are performed in response to respective sequences of actuations of the plurality of keys. The exposed keys are utilisable for a range of positions of the slide.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/804,388filed Feb. 21, 1997.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a telephone handset suitably a radio telephonehandset.

There is a general drive in the field of mobile telephony to producemore compact telephone arrangements particularly for ease oftransportation. There is, however, a conflicting, mainly psychological,requirement for a telephone to bridge the gap between the users ear andmouth to approximate the feel of using a radio handset to that of atraditional landline telephone.

One of the ways in which this has been achieved is by providing a hingedflap attached to the main body of the telephone that is pivoted to aposition in which it overlaps the main body when stowed but extends theoverall length of the phone when in use. One example of such a phone isfound in U.S. Pat. No. 4,845,772.

Such phones do, however, tend to be relatively filmsy and prone todamage especially when the flap is open since it is then extremely proneto accidental knocks or other rough treatment. The hinged flap alsopresents the difficulty of implementing a reliable conductive path fromthe microphone to the main body of the telephone across the hinge.

Another arrangement that overcomes some of the disadvantages inherentwith a hinged flap is described in EP 0 414 365. The compact telephoneor handset described in this patent comprises a main body and a coverportion arranged for longitudinal sliding movement relative to the mainbody. In the retracted position the phone is compact and easy to store.In the extended position the phone is dimensioned such that itcomfortably bridges the gap between the user's ear and mouth. The designcan be made both compact and relatively robust.

In the handset described in EP 0 414 365 the connection enabling thecall answer/send mode is only made when the cover portion is in itsfully extended position. Hence the handset can only be used for makingor answering a call when the cover is in its fully extended position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there isprovided a radio handset comprising a housing having a key pad includinga plurality of keys mounted on a main body and an extending portionmounted for longitudinal slidable movement between a first position inwhich the plurality of keys are concealed and a second position in whichthe plurality of keys are exposed, and a processor operable to performrespective predetermined functions responsive to respective sequences ofactuations of the keys, the processor means being operable to performthe predetermined functions corresponding to the respective sequences ofactuations of exposed ones of the keys for a range of positions of theextending portion.

A sequence for the purposes of this specification comprises a singleactuation. In prior arts handsets of the type described in theintroductory portion above the handsets are able to perform certainfunctions, such as making or receiving a call, only when the coverportion is in the fully open position. Making and receiving calls isimpossible when the cover is in a position other than the fully openposition. This means that the phone needs to be properly open before acall can be placed or received. If the sleeve portion does not ‘lock’ inthe correct position, then the performance of the handset is impaired.

The present invention enables the processor to perform predeterminedfunctions in response to respective sequences of exposed ones of thekeys for a range of positions of the extending portion. The problemsassociated with specific functionalities corresponding to specificpositions of the extending portion are, therefore, ameliorated.

Preferably, at least one key in addition to the plurality of keys isexposed when the extending portion is in the first position. This keymay be operable to control the volume of the output of the radiohandset. If an incoming call is indicated, actuation of an exposed keypreferably places the handset in the off-hook condition. This enables acall to be answered.

The processor means is preferably operable to perform the predeterminedfunctions corresponding to sequences of actuations of the exposed onesof the keys for each position of the extending portion. By allowingexposed keys to be used to control operation of the microprocessor ateach position of the extending portion, there is no difficulty inensuring that the extending portion is properly positioned at aparticular location before a particular function can be performed.Provided the relevent keys are exposed, a function can be performed.This ensures that operation of the handset is simplified. The extendingportion can preferably occupy any position intermediate the first andsecond positions.

The main body preferably comprises a first transducer and the extendingportion a second transducer, the first and second transducers beingoperational when the extending portion is in the first and secondpositions and positions intermediate the first and second positions. Thefirst transducer is typically a speaker or ear piece and the secondtransducer a microphone.

Movement of the extending portion from the first position preferablycauses a call to be answered. Movement of the extending portion to thefirst position preferably causes a call to be terminated. This providesthe user with options other than actuation of keys for answering andterminating calls.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention there isprovided a radio handset comprising a housing having a key pad includinga plurality of keys mounted on a main body and an extending portionmounted for longitudinal slideable movement between a first position inwhich the plurality of keys are concealed and a second position in whichthe plurality of keys are exposed, and processing means operable toplace the handset in an off-hook condition with the extending portion inthe first position, the second position and at least one intermediateposition.

By enabling the handset to be placed in the off-hook condition in thefirst and second positions and at least one intermediate position,answering a call is not unduly restricted by the position of theextending portion. This again simplifies operation of the handset.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention there isprovided a portable telephone comprising a set of keys; a cover portionmovable between a first position covering the set of keys and a secondposition not covering the set of keys; and a further key not covered bythe cover portion in either position, which has a first function whenthe cover is in the first position and a second function when the coveris in the second position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in more detail, by way of example, withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is perspective view of a portable radio telephone handset inaccordance with the present invention with the slide cover closed;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a radio telephone handset;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the portable radio telephone handset ofFIG. 1 with the slide cover fully open;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the portable radio telephone handset ofFIG. 1 with the slide cover in an intermediate position;

FIG. 5 is partial perspective view of the main body of the portableradio telephone handset of FIG. 1 with the slide cover removed showingthe microphone connector;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the microphone connector of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the microphone connector of FIG. 4 fromthe other end;

FIG. 8 is a section through the microphone connector of FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a partial perspective underside view of the slide cover of theportable radio telephone handset of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view of the main body of the portableradio telephone handset showing the grooves for engagement with thesliding portion;

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the microphone housing of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the sleeve and microphone housing of FIG.9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A portable telephone handset in accordance with an embodiment of thisinvention shown in FIGS. 2 to 12 comprises a housing 1 having a mainbody 2 enclosing substantially the whole of the electronic circuitry ofthe radio telephone and a sleeve portion 3 slidably mounted on the mainbody 2. The handset has an antenna 5, a transceiver 6 and processingmeans 7 programmed with an algorithm which is operative to select acommunication channel with a base station (FIG. 2). Information isdisplayed on a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel 8

Included on the housing 1 is a set of keys. There is a first group 10 ofkeys or buttons labelled 0-9, * and # arranged in an array of three rowsand four columns, as is usual and a second group 11 of control keys orbuttons for selecting various predetermined actions such as memorystorage and recall, last number redial, call start (e.g. labelled SEND)etc., again as is usual. The “key” could be a key or button or anyelement for providing input to the microprocessor, preferably input froma user and preferably by means of contact with and/or pressure on and/ortouching of the key. The display panel, LCD 8 is located on the housingabove the two groups of keys. Above the display is located a series ofholes 12 behind which is an earphone or speaker 13 for transmittingspeech or other sounds to the user of the radio handset. The sleeve hasa series of holes 14 at its lower end behind which are mounted amicrophone 15 (FIG. 2).

The sleeve portion 3 is arranged to slide relative to the main bodybetween a closed position illustrated in FIG. 1 and a fully openposition illustrated in FIG. 3. The main body of the housing is curvedand the sleeve-like portion provides a curvature sufficient for the ear13 and mouth 15 pieces to be positioned respectively adjacent the earand mouth of the user. The material chosen for the slide of thisparticular embodiment of the invention is a polycarbonate with addedteflon to provide a satisfying sliding feel when in use.

In the closed position, both groups of keys 10,11 are concealed (FIG.1); the only key available for use being a multi-purpose key 16positioned on the side of the handset. In the fully open position (FIG.3) both groups of keys 10,11 are revealed allowing both numerical andcontrol keys to be selected. A third sleeve position is illustrated inFIG. 4 in which the sleeve is partially open showing only the secondgroup of keys 11. In this position the control keys can still beselected but the numeric keys cannot as they are concealed. Calls can bemade using the control keys, i.e. calls from memory, and calls can betaken. In this embodiment it is the physical concealment of the keys,with the wall of the sleeve portion interposed between the keys and theuser, that prevents them from being used. In other embodiments (notillustrated) it could merely be the interposition of a barrier whichdoes not conceal the keys but covers them at least enough to preventfingers reaching them that prevents the keys from being used. Forexample, the barrier could have small holes in it.

The intermediate position of FIG. 4 further allows single handedoperation of the phone. The sleeve can ideally be slid to theintermediate position under the force of the user's thumb. The controlkeys can then be manipulated to make a call or set the mode of operationof the handset.

Although the microprocessor 7 is functional at all times, when thenumerical keys 10 of the first group are concealed they cannotphysically be actuated to make a telephone call. When the sleeve isfully closed, the only key that can be actuated is the multipurpose key16, which forms a third key group, positioned on the side of the phoneand revealed for all positions of the sleeve 3. The handset isprogrammed to respond to actuation of the multi-purpose key 16 independence on the position of the sleeve relative to the main body. Whenthe sleeve is closed actuation of the multi-purpose key 16 answersincoming calls (by putting the handset “off hook”) and optionally thefunction of the key may include adjusting the volume of the phone whenthere is no incoming call. When the sleeve is open, so that other keysare exposed (particularly answer key 11 a) the multipurpose key 16cannot (except in “any key answer” mode) be used to answer incomingcalls; it only acts as a volume key. The handset may be programmed sothat when the slide is closed the use of the multipurpose key 16 forvolume adjustment adjusts the ringing volume of the phone and when theslide is open the key adjusts the speaker volume of the phone. Thefunction of the multi-purpose key depends on the position of the slide.

The sleeve portion 3 is attached to the main body 2 for sliding movementrelative thereto. A groove 20 is provided on each side of the main body(FIGS. 3,4,5) running substantially along its length. Runners 21positioned, one on each side of the underside of the sleeve portion(FIG. 9), are held in the grooves to allow the sleeve portion 3 to sliderelative to the main body 1 whilst being captured thereby.

In the embodiment described, the arrangement of the groups of keys issuch that in particular positions the sleeve provides access to therespective groups. It is desirable, therefore, that there is apreference for the sleeve to be located in positions revealing eitherneither the first nor the second set of keys (closed) (FIG. 1), thesecond set of keys alone (intermediate), (FIG. 4) or both the first andsecond sets of keys (fully extended (FIG. 3). The third set of keys i.e.(in this embodiment) the multipurpose key 16 is revealed at all times.

In order to hold the sleeve in the three preferential positions the mainbody of the handset is provided with a pair of members 22 (FIGS. 5,10)located within the main body that protrude one into each of the grooves20 located on the main body 2 of the handset. The members 22 are springloaded to allow the sleeve portion to move from the preferred positionswhen desired. The member 22 is resillent and mounted in a holder 24inside the main body 2 with a detent 23 that protrudes through anaperture 25 in the groove 20. The detent 23 is depressed so that it nolonger protrudes into the grooves 20 by one of the runners 21 of thesleeve portion 3. The runners are provided with recesses 26 (FIG. 9),when a recess 26 coincides with a detent 23, the sleeve 3 is held inposition. The recesses 26 are provided so that the sleeve portion is‘caught’ in the closed, intermediate and the fully open positions.

Two of the recesses 26 in the runners 21, those corresponding to theclosed and intermediate positions have cammed edges so that when extraforce is provided to slide the sleeve from the first two sleevepositions, the detent 23 is depressed below the surface of the bottom ofthe groove 20 for disengagement from the recess 16 allowing the sleeveportion 3 to continue to slide in the chosen direction. The recesscorresponding to the intermediate position will have cammed leading andtrailing edges to allow movement in either direction. The recesscorresponding to the closed position may only have a cammed leading edgeto allow for ease in opening.

When the sleeve is in the fully extended position it is not desirablefor the sleeve to continue to open as this could result in the sleeveportion being removed from the main body of the handset. To avoid this,the third recess 26 is deeper and the abutment surface in the directionof a complete withdrawal of the sleeve portion is not cammed. Thisprovides a more absolute stop against further extension of the sleeveportion. As a secondary measure, an in-mould plastic pin 27 (FIG. 9) isprovided on each side of the sleeve portion 3 of the handset. Each ofthese abuts complementary surfaces located on the main body 2 of thehandset to substantially prevent withdrawal of the sleeve portion 3.

As can be seen from FIGS. 9, 11 and 12, the microphone 15 is mounted ona small flexible PCB 30 along with a filter 31 and a foam plasticsmember 32 that acts, together with microphone holder 33, as an acousticdampener to improve the acoustic properties of the microphone 15. Theflexible PCB 30 also includes two conducting tracks 34 for maintainingcontact between the microphone 15 and the electronics of the handsetlocated within the housing of the main body.

The flexible PCB 30 is mounted to the underside of the bare plasticsleeve itself suitably by laminating a polycarbonate foil 35 withapertures 36 coinciding with tracks 34 to it and then welding that partto the underside of the sleeve portion to the slide cover by ultrasonicwelding. A microphone housing 37 surrounding the microphone 15 in themicrophone holder 33 is then fitted. The resulting assembly 38 isattached to the underside of the sleeve 3 with the aid of guide pinesindicated by dotted lines 39.

When in position the two conducting slide tracks 34 extend substantiallyfrom one end of the sleeve portion to the other to allow the microphone15 to maintain electrical contact with the electronics of the handsetfor all positions of the sleeve between and including the open andclosed positions. The microphone housing 37 can also suitably beultrasonically welded to the underside of the sleeve and encloses themicrophone and its components to additionally protect from dirt or otherdamage. When in position, the microphone 15 is located behind the holes14 at the bottom end of the slide connected to the two slide tracks

A microphone connector 40 is mounted on the main body of the handsetsuitably by ultrasonic welding (FIG. 5). The connector is positioned sothat it is in electrical contact with the main PCB in the body of thehandset by contacts 41 or other mechanism. It is positioned to makecontact with the two slide tracks at all positions of the sleeve forprovide an electrical connection between the microphone and the mainprocessor of the handsets. As the microphone is in electrical contactwith the main processor via the slide tracks at all times the signalsfrom the microphone can be utilised in the main processor whenappropriate for incoming or outgoing calls. The connection is alsomaintained during movement of the sleeve portion. The handset can,therefore, be used to the extent that the relevant keys are exposed inall positions of the sleeve relative to the main body. The microphoneconnector can be seen in greater detail in FIGS. 6 to 8.

The microphone connector 40 comprises two spring contacts 42 disposedfor contact with respective ones of the two slide tracks. The bearingsurfaces 43 of the spring clip are flattened to provide for improvedcontact with the slide tracks. The spring loading of the contactsensures good electrical contact between the microphone andmicroprocessor for a range of distances between the sleeve portion andmain body at the microphone connector element. This provides for a gooddegree of tolerance for the manufacturing process. It also allows thesleeve to be at different distances from the microphone connector forrespective positions to the slide.

For reliability is it desirable that the electrical connection betweenthe microphone connector and the slide tracks is hard wearing andresistant to dirt or other damage. In this particular embodiment theconnectors are plated with 20 microns of palladium nickel followed by 2microns of hard gold. The slide tracks 34 can also be plated with hardgold, in this embodiment 5microns, for improved life.

The microphone connector also has a built-in microswitch 44 which isactivated by a protrusion located in the underside of the sleeveportion. The microswitch 44 provides a signal indicating that the sleeveportion 3 is not in the closed position. The signal is used to allowmovement of the slide from the closed position to be detectable. Thisenables movement of the slide 3 to be utilised to answer an incomingcall.

The microswitch 44 has a spring loaded member 45 protruding from themain body towards the sleeve cover 3 and a contact arm 46 in alignmentwith the spring loaded member such that when the spring loaded member isdepressed by a sufficient degree contact is made with the contact arm.On such contact a signal is sent to the microprocessor. A protrusion 47on the underside of the sleeve 3 in a position corresponding to themicroswitch when the sleeve is in the closed position is provided on theunderside of the sleeve portion. The protrusion 47 has a cammed surfacethat progressively presses the spring loaded element into contact withthe contact arm as the sleeve portion slides towards the closedposition. The switch 44 is closed when the sleeve is in the closedposition and signals from the switch can, accordingly, be used as anindication as to whether or not the sleeve is closed position.

By providing an input from the microswitch to the microprocessor theposition of the sleeve portion can be used as an additional indicationto the microprocessor. A call can be answered when the sleeve is movedfrom the closed position, and/or a call terminated when the sleeve isclosed. And this data can be used to determine the function of themulti-function key 16.

Two of the operating modes of the handset are ‘any key answer’ modes. Ifthe handset is in the first ‘any-key answer’ mode and an incoming callis indicated, the handset can be put in the off-hook condition forreceiving the call by pressing any of the exposed keys other than thepower key 30, including the multi-function key. When the sleeve portionof the handset is fully open any one of the available keys can be usedto answer a call. In the second ‘any-key answer’ mode the multi-purposekey does not answer a call if the slide is open.

When in either ‘any key answer’ mode, or in the telephones normal answermode, if the sleeve is closed there are two exposed keys, themulti-purpose key 16 and the power control key 50. The handset can beclosed and powered up or closed and powered down. If the handset ispowered up it is in standby, i.e. in condition to receive calls. If thehandset then receives a paging message indicating that there is anincoming call for the handset, the call can be answered in two ways,either by actuating the volume control key or by sliding the sleeve fromthe closed position. The microprocessor uses the signal from themicroswitch to determine that the sleeve is in the closed position. Anysignal received from the multi-purpose key when the sleeve is closed canaccordingly be utilised to receive an incoming call. Likewise, with themicroswitch indicating that the sleeve is closed, moving the sleeve fromthe closed position causes the microswitch to indicate the displacementto the microprocessor 7. This signal can also then be used to place thehandset in the off-hook condition for receiving an incoming call.

A call can be terminated by pressing the end key, provided it is exposedor closing the sleeve. The microphone and earpiece are connected to themicroprocessor for all positions of the slide and the keys arecontinually polled to determine if they have been actuated.

The present invention includes any novel feature or combination offeatures disclosed herein either explicitly or any generalisationthereof irrespective of whether or not it relates to the claimedinvention or mitigates any or all of the problems addressed.

In view of the foregoing description it will be evident to a personskilled in the art that various modifications may be made within thescope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A radio handset comprising a housing having a keypad including a plurality of keys mounted on a main body and anextending portion mounted for longitudinal slidable movement between afirst position in which the plurality of keys are concealed and a secondposition in which the plurality of previously concealed keys areexposed, and a processor operable to perform respective predeterminedfunctions responsive to respective sequences of actuations of the keys,the processor being operable to perform the predetermined functionscorresponding to the respective sequences of actuations of exposed onesof the keys for a range of positions of the extending portion, thehandset being adapted to make or receive calls at any intermediateposition between the first and second positions.
 2. A radio handsetaccording to claim 1 further comprising an additional key exposed whenthe extending portion is in the first position.
 3. A radio handsetaccording to claim 2 wherein the additional key is operable to controlthe volume of the output of the radio handset.
 4. A radio handsetaccording to claim 1 wherein if an incoming call is indicated, actuationof an exposed key places the handset in the off-hook condition.
 5. Aradio handset according to claim 1 wherein the processor is operable toperform the predetermined functions corresponding to sequences ofactuations of the exposed ones of the keys for each position of theextending portion.
 6. A radio handset according to claim 1 wherein theextending portion can occupy any position intermediate the first andsecond positions.
 7. A radio handset according to claim 1 wherein themain body comprises a first transducer and the extending portioncomprises a second transducer, the first and second transducers beingoperational when the extending portion is in the first and secondpositions and positions intermediate the first and second positions. 8.A radio handset according to claim 1 wherein movement of the extendingportion from the first position causes a call to be answered.
 9. A radiohandset according to claim 1 wherein movement of the extending portionto the first position causes a call to be terminated.
 10. A radiohandset comprising a housing having a key pad including a plurality ofkeys mounted on a main body and an extending portion mounted forlongitudinal slidable movement between a first position in which theplurality of keys are concealed and a second position in which theplurality of previously concealed keys are exposed, and processing meansoperable to place the handset in a condition to make or receive calls atany intermediate position between the first and second extendedpositions.
 11. A radio telephone handset comprising: a housingcomprising a main body and a slidable portion slidingly mounted to themain body; a processor located inside the housing; and a plurality ofkeys operably connected to the processor and extending through the mainbody of the housing, wherein the slidable portion of the housing ismovable between a first position which covers all the keys of theplurality of keys and a second position which does not cover all thepreviously concealed keys of the plurality of keys, and wherein theprocessor is operable to perform functions responsive to actuation ofrespective ones of the plurality of keys for a range of more than oneposition of the slidable portion relative to the main body andsubstantially immediately upon exposure of at least one of the pluralityof keys, the handset being adapted to make or receive calls at anyintermediate position between the first and second positions.
 12. Aradio telephone handset as in claim 11 wherein the plurality of keyscomprise a first group of keys comprising alphanumeric keys.
 13. A radiotelephone handset as in claim 12 wherein the plurality of keys comprisea second group of keys comprising control keys including a call startkey.
 14. A radio telephone handset comprising: a housing comprising amain body and a cover slidingly mounted to the main body between a firstposition and a second position; a processor located in the housing; anda plurality of keys operably connected to the processor, wherein thefirst position comprises the cover covering all of the plurality of keysand the second position comprises the cover not covering the pluralitypreviously covered keys, and wherein the processor is operable toperform functions, responsive to actuation of the plurality of keys, fora range of positions of the cover relative to the main body including atleast one intermediate position of the cover between the first andsecond positions, the handset being adapted to make or receive calls atany intermediate position between the first and second positions.